Bolts Sign Sarich, Avoid Arbitration

Tampabaylightning.com[3] is reporting the Lightning have re-signed defenseman Cory Sarich to a one-year, $1.9 million contract. The deal allows the Lightning and Sarich to avoid a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for July 31. Tampa Bay General Manager Jay Feaster stated in the official press release that Sarich left some money on the table in order to fit into the team's stretched financial structure. Sarich, 27, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan played in all 82 games for the third consecutive season in 2005-06, recording a goal, 14 assists and 79 penalty minutes. In 2003-04 he was one of three defensemen to appear in all 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Lightning.